SPECIAL tributes have been paid to Patti Turner Smith, a cornerstone of Wilmslow Parish Church and a powerhouse of the Tory party in Wilmslow.

Patti of Alton Road, Wilmslow, was a fundraising stalwart who raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the Wilmslow community.

She died of kidney failure at Wythenshawe Hospital on Sunday, January 10, at 2am.

The grandmother of three was a member of the Friends of the Parish of Wilmslow for many years and chairman for 10 years.

She will also be remembered for being a staunch Conservative Party supporter who was a key constituency party worker during the term of former MP Neil Hamilton.

She played a pivitol role in the turbulent campaign to get him re-elected when broadcaster turned politician Martin Bell stepped onto the scene in 1997.

Neil Hamilton said: "I am devastated at the news. Patti was one of my strongest supporters and closest friends in the constituency. I have regularly been in touch with her over the last 12 years and spoke to her before Christmas which is why her death is such a great shock. She was a very community minded and public spirited person."

As a member of the Friends of the Parish of Wilmslow she raised more than £100,000 for St Bartholomew’s Church and its sister church St Anne’s with the support of the committee.

She headed up St Bart’s £650,000 fund-raising appeal to repair and restore the historic building’s roof in 2002.

Her daughter Jane Jones, from Bedford, said her mum had been phenomenal in her fundraising activities saying she was a very ‘proud and feisty woman’ who never stopped working.

She said: "Even when she was told she had to go on dialysis she didn’t want to because she didn’t think she was ill. She was working until the last moment. Mum even did all her own house work and looked after her huge garden, despite her age and illness. And she was always very glamorous. She was also very well respected through her work with the Tory party and even Martin Bell wrote in a copy of his book to her that she was a ‘worthy adversary’."

Jane recalled a trip with her mum to Buckingham Palace in 2007. Wearing their best frocks, Jane said they spent a wonderful afternoon strolling around the 40 acre garden and lake.

Patti’s invitation was in recognition of her tireless fundraising and indomitable spirit.

Khumi Burton, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, and a close friend said: "Patti has worked so hard over the years for the church and the Conservative party. She has done a lot of good for the community. She will be missed. "

Patti held key positions in the ward and constituency branches of the Tory party and helped raise thousands of pounds, as well as using her home as a nerve centre for more than 24 local and general elections.

Tatton MP George Osborne said: "She was a fantastic woman who has been a great friend to me, my wife and children. She filled a room with her personality and worked flat out for local causes especially her church, St Bart’s. It is hard to come to terms with the fact that she has gone. We will miss her."

She used her ingenuity to coax cash out of supporters and among her inspired fundraising events included a Tramp’s Supper and a plan to encourage people to sponsor a roof slate for £5 when the roof needed replacing at Bart’s.